Mineral

Malachite

Malachite, Cu2(CO3)(OH)2

Hardness: 3.5-4.0 Mohs; Color: Bright green to dark green with distinct banding; Luster: Silky to adamantine (unpolished) or vitreous (polished); Crystal Structure: Monoclinic; Cleavage: Perfect; Specific Gravity: 3.6-4.0

Hardness: 3
Color: Bright green to dark green with distinct banding
Luster: Silky to adamantine (unpolished) or vitreous (polished)

Identified March 25, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed through the weathering of copper ore deposits in the oxidation zones of sulfide minerals; common in limestone environments. Geological age varies by location, occurring from Precambrian to recent formations.

Uses & applications

Used primarily in jewelry, lapidary arts (cabochons, beads), decorative carvings, high-end furniture inlays, and historically as a green pigment in paints.

Geological facts

Ancient Egyptians used ground malachite as eye shadow. It is famously found in massive quantities in the Ural Mountains of Russia, where it was used to panel entire rooms in palaces. It is often associated with Azurite.

Field identification & locations

Identify by its unique 'bulls-eye' or concentric banding and deep green color. Commonly found in DR Congo, Russia, Australia, and Arizona (USA). Collectors should look for vibrant botryoidal patterns and avoid exposure to acids which will cause it to effervesce and dissolve.